In a 2021 report, 6.2 million properties in the United States experienced hail damage in 2020. Property owners in the midwest are particularly prone to hail storms which can cause significant damage to cars and houses and contribute to the aging and weathering of roofs.
In 2020, State Farm estimated $394.2 million in damages to Illinois properties, the second highest in the country. Property insurance can help to offset the cost of repairs caused by hail damage. However, because some damage can be cumulative, especially to roofs, insurance companies habitually deny claims, stating the damage is pre-existing.
Learn what to do after a hail storm to support an insurance claim and how the experienced insurance claim lawyers at Nessler & Associates can help get you the compensation you deserve.
Does Homeowners’ Insurance Cover Hail Damage?
Hail storms can cause multiple types of storm damage. Strong winds during a hail storm cause damage to buildings, such as siding and roof damage. Hail can break windows and cause further harm to siding, paint, and roofs.
Homeowners’ insurance typically covers the destruction caused by hail storms under standard dwelling coverage. Damage to external buildings such as barns or storage sheds is covered under the other structure portion of the policy.
Any damage deemed cosmetic, like peeling paint or dented siding that doesn’t cause structural damage, will be denied by insurance.
Your insurance company should pay up to your policy limit for covered damages. You should purchase comprehensive coverage to pay for hail damage if you live in a state with frequent hail storms like Illinois. The additional coverage helps protect you if you have significant or frequent damage from hail by expanding your dwelling coverage limit.
Why You May Need an Attorney to File a Hail Damage Claim
For many homeowners, filing for damages after a storm results in a long, frustrating claims process. Insurance companies often try to stall payouts, pay a minimal settlement, or outright deny claims when possible.
To avoid paying your claim, your insurer may argue:
- That the damage isn’t severe and doesn’t warrant a claim
- You didn’t take the right steps to prevent damage from occurring, such as having your roof inspected before a storm
- The damage happened due to rain or wind, not hail
- You don’t have sufficient evidence to make the claim
- Your policy doesn’t cover hail damage
- You didn’t file your claim on time
While insurers often use legitimate reasons to avoid paying claims, they can also act in bad faith. This behavior includes misrepresenting your coverage, not investigating your claim thoroughly, or denying your claim without giving a reason.
If you experience difficulty getting your insurer to pay your claim, you may need the help of a skilled property damage attorney from Nessler & Associates. We can help you fight bad faith insurance practices to get the compensation you are owed for your hail damage claim.
How an Attorney From Nessler & Associates Can Help
If your home suffers damage after a hail storm and your insurance company denies your claim, work with a hail damage attorney from Nessler & Associates. Our experienced property damage lawyers can help you get a fair settlement from your homeowners’ insurance company so you can pay for the damage a hail storm caused to your house.
The attorneys from Nessler & Associates can support your property damage claim by:
- Helping you understand your insurance policy coverages
- Collecting evidence for your claim, including photos, documents, or videos
- Filing a well-supported claim with your insurer
- Negotiating for a fair settlement based on the terms of your policy
- Protecting you against bad faith practices from insurers
- Appealing claims denials to receive fair compensation
Schedule a free case review with our hail damage attorneys to discuss your existing claim or before filing for compensation for damage done to your home. We can review your property damage claim and take necessary legal action to ensure the company handles your claim appropriately and pays what you’re owed.
Contact Nessler & Associates to Help with Your Hail Damage Claim
If you’re looking for a storm hail damage attorney in Illinois, consider the experienced attorneys at Nessler & Associates. We have significant knowledge of hail damage insurance claims in the state of Illinois and can help you receive the compensation needed to repair your home.
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us anything unless you receive compensation for your home damage.
Call our legal team today at (800) 727-8010 for a confidential, free case evaluation.